Australians smell blood in second Test

By Ben Horne

Australia's cricketers say South Africa will play straight into their hands by batting for a draw, as the Proteas desperately fight to save the second Test and their No.1 ranking.

Just six wickets are required by Australia on the final day, with South Africa 4-77 and still needing a mammoth 353 runs.

With AB de Villiers (12no) and Faf du Plessis (19no) at the crease and just injured Jacques Kallis to come in terms of recognised batsmen, the under-siege Proteas admit a draw is their highest hope.

If Australia win the series they will likely steal the No.1 Test ranking from their opponents and the first step to setting up that possibility for the third Test in Perth is closing out in this match.

However, Victorian fast bowler Peter Siddle (1-23), who turned 28 on Sunday, believes South Africa's defensive mindset will ultimately work to Australia's advantage.

"That plays in your favour as well. Being defensive, obviously it leaves you open to get those nicks and play to the fielders," said Siddle.

Advertisement

"Tomorrow morning we've got to be as fresh as we can be, especially Hilfy (Ben Hilfenhaus, 1-23) and myself and hopefully get a bit of reverse swing going.

"We know we've got the second new ball there as well and Nath's (spinner Nathan Lyon) is going to play a big role up that other end.

"If we can build the pressure and keep working them over like that the six wickets will come around."

South Africa were set 430 to win when Australia declared at 8-267 in their second dig midway through Sunday's second session.

Australia's front-line bowlers have laid the platform for an important victory, but realise there's still more work required - especially with James Pattinson out of the match and the rest of the series with a side injury.

When Hilfenhaus had Graeme Smith (nought) caught at slip in the first over of the Proteas' second innings and Hashim Amla (17) fell the same way to the impressive Lyon, the world's best were officially on the ropes.

Lyon now has 50 Test wickets to his name and he's the youngest Australian offspinner to achieve that mark.

Siddle said the bowlers are doing their job well, but praised Australian batsmen - Michael Clarke (230), Mike Hussey (103, 54) and David Warner (119) - for setting the game up.

"It goes back to day one. To score so many runs in such a quick time, it just gave us so much time," said Siddle.

South African assistant coach Russell Domingo agreed the first-day carnage, where Australia smashed nearly 500 runs, was decisive and said a draw was all his team were thinking about.

"We know that 350 on the last day with four wickets down is probably out the window," he said.

"South Africans pride ourselves on our resilience.

"We know that we are under a little bit of pressure at the moment but there is every possibility that something special could happen tomorrow."